By Graham Thomas
One of the more eye-catching sights in Welsh football at present is Kyle Hudlin on the hoof.
It’s not just that Newport County’s striker is the tallest outfield player in UK professional football at 6ft 9in.
It’s the unexpected vision of Hudlin often bringing the ball under instant control and then spraying out a pin-perfect pass to a teammate.
As the old cliché goes, he’s got a good touch for a big man.
Too good for Gillingham in midweek, certainly, as Hudlin took a cross from the right, swiveled his large frame 360 degrees and planted a shot into the far corner to help secure a 2-0 away victory.
Admittedly, the first touch could have been better but the speed with which Hudlin got his shot fired off suggested a man determined to shape whatever comes his way in his favour.
Hudlin – a 24-year-old loan signing from Huddersfield – has now scored three goals in his last five games.
The first of those was a forceful header against Salford, which no defender could get near – underlining that if Newport can supply him with accurate crosses, then the statuesque striker could be a highly effective weapon this season.
Not that Newport, under their Portuguese manager Nelson Jardim, are trying to be a long ball, direct team. Far from it.
Jardim is intent on his players adopting a patient passing style – like almost every other Portuguese manager – but Hudlin does offer variety, a warhead to fire at the opposition when conventional ground forces are tied down.
“I’m really happy with the way I’m playing at the moment,” said Hudlin.
“I wouldn’t say the goal on Tuesday was a sign of confidence, it was more of a sign of my ability as a player. I want to show people that I’m more than just scoring headed goals, I want to show I have more than that to my game.
“I was really eager to score with my feet on Tuesday and make sure everyone knows that I can do the other side of the game – I’m not just a big man – that I’m also tidy with my feet and link people into play.
“In the coming fixtures, I want to continue showing my ability and hopefully keep helping the team to wins.”
The win at Gillingham ended a three-game losing run for County, who are now up to 13th position.
A win at home against Fleetwood Town on Saturday, could lift Newport close to – or even inside – the play-off places and set them up for a promising second two-thirds of the campaign.
Despite that win over the Gills, County are underdogs against Fleetwood, however, according to bookmakers, DragonBet.
If the Amber Army are left lording it over the Cod Army, then Newport will have continued their good home form as 12 of their 19 points have so far come at Rodney Parade.
Adams’ men are sliding in the other direction. They blazed away at the start of the season, losing just once in their opening nine games, but they have since lost their last two.
Higher up the food chain in League One, Wrexham will be looking to maintain their place in the top two by winning at mid-table Charlton.
It’s a trip to a former club for Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson but DragonBet see it as a tough assignment as Charlton have only lost once at home this season.
Charlton are 11/8 favourites, with Wrexham at 2/1 and the draw priced 21/10.
Swansea are more fancied to turn Millwall over at home, at 6/4, comparted to the Lions’ 19/10.
The Swans are the lowest scorers in the Championship, with just eight goals all season – in contrast to Millwall who have scored 14, even though they have an identical record of three wins, four draws, and four defeats from their opening 11 games.
Cardiff City interim manager Omer Riza faces his toughest test yet in temporary charge as the Bluebirds go to fourth-placed West Brom.
